Thoughts From 2Timothy 1 - Part 3

  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2Tim.1:9-12

        What a great passage! So much to ponder. First, that before God created man, "before the beginning of time", He knew we would sin and that He would have to send His Son to die and redeem us and He still did it. If there was another way, I'm sure the only wise God would have come up with it, but there wasn't. For people to say, "why do Christians claim there is just one way to God?", and get angry about it, is such an insult to God! Why is there even one way??

      Second, once we're saved, we are expected to live a Holy life. Sophie Cunningham, the white poster girl for the WNBA, recently was baptized, and I saw on Twitter today, she is working on stopping cussing. I would say there's probably a lot more she needs to work on, but it shows that the "seed" of the gospel has indeed implanted and started blooming. I'm guarded but yet excited.

 Also, as an editorial comment, as a Christian, I know all of Donald Trump's flaws and sins. I'm not blind or in denial like Franklin Graham - who I still respect for all his work with Samaritan's purse. But these public displays of faith that we are seeing day after day don't happen if Democrats and political correctness are in power, which due to Trump's egregious behavior will stop in 2.5 years.

      Third, God offers His Son, grace, purpose, immortality, assurance of salvation, death of death and the fear of death, and Paul proclaims it and everyone rejoices, right? No, he suffers for it. There is only one explanation why and that is that the world is deluded by and controlled by God's adversary, Satan. That is the only logical reason why immortality isn't embraced by everyone. It makes no earthly sense. But just like Noah who preached of salvation through an ark and was mocked, we need not be ashamed. We've heard God's voice and by faith know it's true and are just saddened that so few will be saved.

      Watched House of David on Prime Video and am once again reminded of Samuel's word from God that David would be the next king. If he truly believed that, in every battle including Goliath David was invincible. Paul likewise says,

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."  Paul was immortal and so am I! What is there ever to be afraid of?